The Wealth First Challenge: Where Will You Be in 10 Years?

Ten years from now, you’ll either own equity — or wish you did.

A decade goes by faster than people realize. Think back to where you were ten years ago — it probably feels like the blink of an eye. That’s why Carl White says, “The time will pass anyway — you might as well have something to show for it.” Dave Savage frames it as “making decisions today that your future self will thank you for.”

Both statements point to a simple truth: your financial life ten years from now will be shaped by decisions you make right now. That’s the heart of the Wealth First Challenge — taking a moment to envision your future and deciding whether homeownership could play a meaningful role in that picture.

If you want long-term stability, predictable housing costs, and a solid foundation for financial growth, homeownership has historically provided all three. Let’s break down why.

What 10 Years of Homeownership Can Do

1. Appreciation Accumulates Over Time

Real estate appreciation doesn’t need to be dramatic to make an impact. Even modest annual growth compounds over a decade. While appreciation is never guaranteed, many markets historically see long-term upward movement over time. For homeowners, that means wealth building happening quietly in the background.

2. Amortization Works Quietly

While appreciation gets most of the attention, amortization is the true workhorse. Every monthly payment reduces your mortgage balance. After ten years, homeowners are often surprised at how much of their loan they’ve paid down — even with a 30-year term.

This combination of appreciation and amortization is powerful. One is market-driven; the other is guaranteed through your normal payment schedule.

3. Predictability vs. Rising Rent

Rent almost always increases over time. Some years it rises gently; others it jumps unexpectedly. Either way, renters feel inflation directly.

A fixed mortgage, on the other hand, brings stability. Your principal and interest payment stays predictable, creating a sense of control that renters rarely enjoy. Over a decade, that predictability can be a game-changer for budgeting, planning, and peace of mind.

4. Equity Creates Opportunities

Ten years of homeownership doesn’t just create stability — it creates options:

• Moving up to your next home
• Selling and capturing equity
• Refinancing to improve financial flexibility
• Leveraging equity to invest or pursue other goals

Equity acts like a financial springboard. Renters miss out on this entirely.

Your Wealth First Projection

A personalized Wealth First Projection can help you visualize your potential equity ten years from now. It’s educational, not a guarantee — but it provides a powerful perspective on the path you could be on.

Most people don’t run these numbers on their own, and when they finally see them, their entire understanding of homeownership changes.

Hypothetical Example

A $400,000 home appreciating at 3% annually (illustrative only) may grow to roughly $537,000 after ten years. During that time, normal amortization may build additional equity — often tens of thousands of dollars — resulting in potential six-figure total wealth growth.

All while locking in predictable housing costs and avoiding a decade of rising rent.

Closing Thoughts

Ten years from now, your financial picture will be shaped by the decisions you’re making today. Homeownership has historically been one of the clearest pathways to long-term wealth and stability. If you’d like an educational Wealth Projection Report to see what your next decade could look like, I’m here to help you take the first step.